Mexico plans to continue a friendly match scheduled against Iceland on Thursday, February 26, 2026, morning WIB, at the Corregidora Stadium, Queretaro, amid unrest and violence triggered by the death of the country’s largest drug cartel leader.
Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed El Mencho and leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) Cartel, was killed on Sunday, February 22, 2026, local time, by Mexican soldiers in a targeted attack.
The CJNG cartel is considered the most powerful in Mexico, with an estimated 19,000 members and operations that span 21 of the 31 states and Mexico City. The cartel has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Donald Trump administration.
This caused a strong reaction from members of the cartel group. Some people burned cars and blocked the road as a form of protest, forcing the FMF (Mexican Football Federation) to postpone the Liga MX (the highest division league) match between Queretaro and Juarez FC, and Chivas vs America in the women’s league (Liga MX Femenil).
The postponement makes the friendly match on Thursday morning WIB doubtful. However, the Mexican National Team (Timnas) will continue the training session that had been scheduled earlier in Queretaro on Monday, February 23, 2026.
ESPN reported that the FMF also said the match was expected to take place as planned.
Meanwhile, the riots also prompted FIFA to request a report from Mexico on the security situation affecting the country.
FIFA is closely monitoring events that took place on Sunday and Monday, particularly in Guadalajara, Jalisco, which will be one of the host cities of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
The capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara, is scheduled to host four 2026 World Cup matches in June, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, and Colombia will also play there.
Prior to the match in the summer, Monterrey and Guadalajara will host the 2026 World Cup Intercontinental Playoff in March 2026 which will determine two of the six participants who qualify for the final round. Bolivia, Suriname, New Caledonia, Jamaica, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will all compete.
The internal document, sent from Mexico to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, summarizes the events that took place between Sunday and Monday morning, so that the governing body can determine if there are security problems and take the next steps.
For now, there are no signs or indications that Mexico’s ability to host the 2026 World Cup or the Intercontinental Playoff matches is threatened.
Mexico also has a friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup scheduled against Portugal in March 2026 – a match in which world star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to participate.
As one of the host countries of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico will play the first match of the tournament against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
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